24 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 397 



"Towns may appropriate money to be expended by the tree warden in planting 

 shade trees in public ways, or, if he deems it expedient, upon adjoining land, at a 

 distance not exceeding twenty feet from said public wajs for the purpose of 

 improving, protecting, shading or ornamenting the same; provided, that the 

 written consent of the owner of such adjoining land shall first be obtained." 



Some tree wardens who have availed themselves of this provision of the law 

 report satisfactory results. No definite recommendations on the desirability of 

 planting trees on private property can be furnished, however, since conditions 

 vary widely in different communities. It sometimes happens that in areas where 

 narrow tree belts obtain, dwelling houses have little, if any free space as frontage. 

 Nevertheless, it would be well for tree wardens to explore all possibilities for 

 planting on private property in order to improve local tree conditions as far as 

 practicable. 



Disease and Insect Control. It is not feasible to give control practices in detail 

 for the individual fungus diseases and insect pests observed. Diagnoses made from 

 specimens submitted to the Experiment Station will be reported whenever the 

 cause for the trouble can be definitely ascertained from laboratory examination. 

 Standard spray programs for the protection of foliage constitute the minimum pest 

 control measures that should be accorded trees. 



Physiological Troubles. Physiological troubles of trees may be revealed by 

 the presence of small leaves or early yellowing and loss of foliage. Progressive 

 weakening, following disease, repeated insect infestation, and faulty transplant- 

 ing often result in certain physiological dit^orders. Inadequate food and water 

 relations are also common sources of trouble. 



Compensation for lack of water during extended periods of drought may be 

 made by adequate watering of the soil about tree roots. If necessary, holes may 

 be drilled as in the application of fertilizer discussed below. Plant foods may 

 likewise be made available by addition of fertilizer to the soil about the feeding 

 roots, the amount required being dependent upon indiv'dual cases. 



A satisfactory technique for introducing fertilizer into the soil includes the 

 drilling of holes about 18 inches deep and 2 feet apart, in the ground approxi- 

 mately under the limits of branch spread, or closer in the case of small, round- 

 headed trees lacking extensive feeding roots. The fertilizer is then inserted in 

 the holes, leaving the upper two inches for the replacement of soil. In determin- 

 ing the location of feeding roots of spiry trees, holes should be drilled beginning 

 at a distance about half the height of the tree away from the trunk and extending 

 in concentric circles to the limits of the roots. 



The value of decaying organic matter, Such as well-rotted manure worked 

 into the soil at the rate of 15 to 20 cubic feet to 100 square feet of soil, should not 

 be overlooked in choosing a satisfactory general utility fertilizer. Unfortunately 

 local conditions may often make its use impracticable. However, when manure 

 is used it should be mixed thoroughly with the soil or a manure and soil mixture 

 should be introduced into holes in the same way as prepared fertilizers. At times, 

 roots under turf or in hard-packed soil may not be satisfactorily reached by 

 ordinary methods and aerating the soil in a cultivation program may be advisable. 

 Plowing the surface of the ground about a tree permits many advantages when 

 this practice is feasible. Fertilizers such as nitrate of soda, at the rate of 2 to 5 

 pounds for a medium-sized tree, and sometimes small quantities of lime may be 

 applied in the spring on the surface of plowed ground. Trees, such as oaks or 

 black and red spruce, which require an acid soil, are to be excepted. 



